illegitimate
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C1 adjective /ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/

illegitimate

Meaning
Not authorized by law, rules, or standards; not recognized as valid.
Example
The court ruled the contract to be illegitimate.
C1 verb /ˈɪnsjuleɪt/

insulate

Meaning
To protect something by covering it, especially to prevent heat, sound, or electricity from escaping or entering.
Example
The house was insulated to reduce heating costs.
C1 noun ɪnˈsɒl.vən.si

insolvency

Meaning
The state of being unable to pay debts owed; bankruptcy.
Example
The company declared insolvency after years of losses.
C1 adjective, noun /ɪnˈdɪkətɪv/

indicative

Meaning
Serving as a sign or expression of something; in grammar, a mood used to make factual statements.
Example
His tone was indicative of his frustration.
C1 noun /ˈɪnkjʊˌbeɪtər/

incubator

Meaning
a device or environment that provides suitable conditions for eggs, cells, or infants to develop
Example
The premature baby was placed in an incubator for care.
C1 noun /ˌɪnfɪˈdɛləti/

infidelity

Meaning
the act of being unfaithful to a spouse or partner
Example
Their marriage ended due to his infidelity.
C1 adjective; noun /ɪˈmɔːrtl/

immortal

Meaning
living forever; never dying; lasting forever in fame or memory
Example
Legends often describe heroes as immortal beings who never die.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkjʊˈbeɪʃən/

incubation

Meaning
the process of keeping eggs, cells, or organisms in the right conditions for development
Example
The incubation of the eggs lasted for three weeks.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈɪnvəlɪd/ (adjective), /ɪnˈvælɪd/ (noun)

invalid

Meaning
Not valid; having no force or effect. Also refers to a person too weak or ill to care for themselves.
Example
The court declared the contract invalid.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfleɪm/

inflame

Meaning
to arouse strong feelings or provoke anger; to cause inflammation in the body
Example
The politician's remarks served to inflame public opinion.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈfɜːm/

infirm

Meaning
Weak, especially due to old age or illness.
Example
The infirm old man needed assistance to walk.
C1 noun /ɪˌreɡjəˈlærɪti/

irregularity

Meaning
lack of regularity or consistency; a deviation from what is normal, expected, or orderly
Example
The audit revealed several financial irregularities in the company’s records.
C1 noun /ɪnˈhɛrɪtər/

inheritor

Meaning
a person who receives money, property, or a title when someone dies
Example
She became the inheritor of her family's estate.
C1 noun ˌɪnfrəˈstrʌktʃərəl dɪˈveləpmənt

infrastructural development

Meaning
The process of building and improving the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Example
Infrastructural development is necessary for efficient recycling.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɪkˈskjuːzəbl/

inexcusable

Meaning
Too bad to be justified or overlooked; unforgivable.
Example
His rude behavior was inexcusable.
C1 adjective /ɪˈrɛvəkəbl/

irrevocable

Meaning
Not able to be revoked, changed, or undone.
Example
She made an irrevocable decision to leave the company.
C1 noun /ˌɪndɪɡˈneɪʃən/

indignation

Meaning
Strong displeasure or anger caused by something unjust, offensive, or insulting.
Example
Public indignation grew after the unfair verdict.
C1 verb /ɪnˈdaɪt/

indict

Meaning
to formally accuse someone of committing a serious crime
Example
The grand jury decided to indict the politician for corruption.
C1 adverb /ˌɪnsɪˈdɛntəli/

incidentally

Meaning
by the way; used to introduce a remark not directly related to the main subject
Example
Incidentally, did you know that she studied in Paris?
C1 verb /ɪmˈpiːtʃ/

impeach

Meaning
To charge a public official with misconduct while in office.
Example
The parliament voted to impeach the president.
C1 noun /ɪnˈsɜːrdʒənt/

insurgent

Meaning
A person who rises in revolt against authority or government.
Example
The army arrested several insurgents after the attack.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpiːd/

impede

Meaning
To obstruct or hinder the progress or development of something.
Example
Lack of funds can impede business growth.
C1 adjective /ɪˈlʌstriəs/

illustrious

Meaning
Well known, respected, and admired for past achievements.
Example
She had an illustrious career in medicine.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɜːrtɪnəns/

impertinence

Meaning
lack of respect; rudeness
Example
The teacher was shocked by the student's impertinence.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɜːrsənl/

impersonal

Meaning
not influenced by, showing, or involving personal feelings; lacking human warmth or emotion
Example
The letter was written in a very impersonal style.
C1 adjective /ɪˈluː.sɪv/

Illusive

Meaning
deceptive; appearing to exist but not real; misleading
Example
The promise of easy money proved to be illusive and misleading.
C1 noun ɪmˈpɛə(r)mənt

impairment

Meaning
The state of being damaged or weakened; a disability or handicap.
Example
Hearing impairment can be caused by long-term exposure to loud noise.
C1 adjective /ˌɪntərˈtʃeɪndʒəbl/

interchangeable

Meaning
able to be exchanged with each other without difference or loss of function
Example
These machine parts are interchangeable, so they can be replaced easily.
C1 adjective /ˌɪməˈtɪəriəl/

immaterial

Meaning
Not important or relevant; lacking physical substance.
Example
The judge ruled that the argument was immaterial to the case.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkɒmprɪˈhɛnsəbl/

incomprehensible

Meaning
Impossible or very difficult to understand.
Example
The professor’s lecture was so fast it became incomprehensible.
C1 noun /ɪnˈsaɪtmənt/

incitement

Meaning
the action of provoking unlawful or violent behavior
Example
He was arrested for incitement to riot.
C1 verb /ˌɪntərˈsɛpt/

intercept

Meaning
to stop, catch, or seize something on its way from one place to another
Example
The police intercepted the stolen car before it crossed the border.
C1 noun /ˌɪntərˈmɪʃən/

intermission

Meaning
A pause or break, especially during a performance or event.
Example
The play had a twenty-minute intermission.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnərmoʊst/

Innermost

Meaning
most private and secret; deepest; most personal
Example
She shared her innermost feelings with her closest friend.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɑːrʃəl/

Impartial

Meaning
treating all sides fairly; unbiased; neutral
Example
A good judge must remain impartial throughout the trial.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv/

inconclusive

Meaning
Not leading to a definite result or decision.
Example
The investigation remained inconclusive due to a lack of evidence.
C1 noun /ɪˈmiːdiəsi/

immediacy

Meaning
The quality of bringing one into direct and instant involvement with something, giving rise to a sense of urgency or excitement.
Example
The immediacy of digital communication has reshaped business operations.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnfəməs/

infamous

Meaning
well known for some bad quality or deed
Example
The dictator was infamous for his cruelty.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɑːrˈtɪkjʊlət/

inarticulate

Meaning
Unable to express oneself clearly or effectively in speech or writing.
Example
She became inarticulate with emotion during the speech.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈflæməˌtɔːri/

inflammatory

Meaning
causing inflammation in the body; arousing anger, hostility, or strong emotion
Example
His inflammatory speech triggered protests across the city.
C1 verb /ɪnˈvælɪdeɪt/

invalidate

Meaning
To make something not valid or legally acceptable.
Example
The new evidence may invalidate the previous ruling.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈvɪnsəbl/

invincible

Meaning
too powerful to be defeated or overcome
Example
The team seemed invincible after winning ten matches in a row.
C1 verb /ˈɪrɪˌɡeɪt/

irrigate

Meaning
to supply water to land or crops; to wash out a wound with water
Example
Farmers irrigate their fields during dry seasons.
C1 noun /ˌɪntəkəˈnɛktɪvɪti/

interconnectivity

Meaning
The state of being interconnected or the degree of connectivity between components
Example
The rise of interconnectivity has transformed global communication.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnstənˈteɪniəs/

instantaneous

Meaning
Happening immediately, without any delay.
Example
The change in temperature was almost instantaneous.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpæʃənd/

impassioned

Meaning
Filled with or showing great emotion.
Example
She gave an impassioned speech about human rights.
C1 adjective ɪnˈdel.ə.bəl

indelible

Meaning
Making marks that cannot be removed; impossible to forget or remove.
Example
Her speech left an indelible mark on the audience.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdiːsənt/

indecent

Meaning
not conforming to accepted standards of behavior or morality; improper or offensive
Example
He was warned for making an indecent remark during the meeting.
C1 adjective /ɪˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/

Illogical

Meaning
not reasonable or sensible; lacking logic
Example
It would be illogical to go swimming in such cold weather.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnəˈfɛnsɪv/

inoffensive

Meaning
Not likely to offend or provoke; harmless.
Example
His inoffensive remarks kept the conversation friendly.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdɪf.ər.əns/

Indifference

Meaning
lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; the state of not caring about something
Example
His indifference to his studies resulted in poor grades throughout the semester.
C1 noun /ɪnˌkɑːsəˈreɪʃən/

incarceration

Meaning
the state of being imprisoned or confined
Example
The criminal faced years of incarceration for his crimes.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsteɪbəl/

instable

Meaning
not stable; liable to change, collapse, or fail; lacking firmness or reliability
Example
The instable political situation worried foreign investors.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkəmˌpætəˈbɪlɪti/

incompatibility

Meaning
the state of being unable to exist or work together harmoniously; lack of compatibility
Example
The project failed because of incompatibility between the two software systems.
C1 verb /ɪnˈdʌkt/

induct

Meaning
to formally admit someone into a position, organization, or office
Example
She was inducted into the university's honor society.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdɪɡ.nə.ti/

Indignity

Meaning
treatment or circumstances that cause one to feel shame or loss of dignity; humiliation
Example
She refused to suffer the indignity of being searched without proper cause.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdjuːsmənt/

inducement

Meaning
something that persuades or encourages someone to do something
Example
The company offered a bonus as an inducement to employees.
C1 verb /ɪnˈstɪl/

instill

Meaning
to gradually but firmly establish an idea, attitude, or habit in someone's mind
Example
Parents try to instill good values in their children.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈfleɪtɪd/

inflated

Meaning
excessively increased in size, value, or importance; filled with air or gas
Example
The company faced criticism for its inflated prices.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɛp(ə)rəbəl/

inseparable

Meaning
Unable to be separated or always together.
Example
The two friends have been inseparable since childhood.
C1 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl/

irreversible

Meaning
Not able to be undone, changed, or reversed.
Example
The damage caused by the fire was irreversible.
C1 noun /ˈɪrɪtənt/

irritant

Meaning
something that causes irritation or discomfort
Example
Dust is a common irritant for people with allergies.
C1 noun ˌɪn.ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si

inefficiency

Meaning
The state or quality of not achieving maximum productivity; failure to make the best use of time or resources.
Example
Government inefficiency leads to slow project completion.
C1 adjective /ˌɪn.səˈbɔːr.dɪ.nət/

insubordinate

Meaning
Defiant of authority; disobedient to orders.
Example
The insubordinate employee refused to follow the manager's instructions.
C1 noun /ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛstʃən/

indigestion

Meaning
Discomfort or pain in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting food.
Example
He avoided spicy food because it often gave him indigestion.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈflɛksəbl/

inflexible

Meaning
Not able to bend or change; unwilling to change ideas or behavior.
Example
His inflexible attitude made negotiations difficult.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtændʒəbl/

intangible

Meaning
Unable to be touched or grasped; not having a physical presence.
Example
Trust is an intangible quality in relationships.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnsjələr/

insular

Meaning
Narrow-minded, isolated, or relating to an island.
Example
The community was criticized for its insular attitudes toward outsiders.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɜː.mə.nəns/

impermanence

Meaning
The state or fact of lasting for only a limited period of time.
Example
The philosophy of Buddhism emphasizes the impermanence of life.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈstrʌktɪv/

instructive

Meaning
useful and informative; providing knowledge or instruction
Example
The lecture was highly instructive and engaging.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɛtʃ.u.əs/

impetuous

Meaning
Acting or done quickly and without thought or care; impulsive.
Example
His impetuous decision led to unexpected consequences.
C1 noun /ɪnˈtruː.ʒən/

intrusion

Meaning
Unauthorized entry into a system or place without permission
Example
The company detected an intrusion in its server.
C1 noun ˌɪnˈsaɪtfʊlnɪs

insightfulness

Meaning
The capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing.
Example
His insightfulness helped solve the complex problem.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnækˈsɛsəbl/

inaccessible

Meaning
unable to be reached, entered, or understood
Example
The remote village is almost inaccessible during the rainy season.
C1 verb /ɪnˈvɜːrt/

invert

Meaning
To turn something upside down or in the opposite position, order, or direction.
Example
He inverted the glass to let the water drain out.
C1 adjective ɪnˈtrɪn.zɪk

intrinsic

Meaning
Belonging naturally; essential. Existing as a natural or basic part of something.
Example
Creativity is an intrinsic quality of a great artist.
C1 noun /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/

inclination

Meaning
A natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way.
Example
She has an inclination towards helping others.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkəmˈpætəbl/

incompatible

Meaning
Not able to exist or work together without conflict.
Example
Their personalities were completely incompatible.
C1 noun /ˈɪn.floʊ/

inflow

Meaning
The movement of things such as money, people, or water into a place.
Example
The inflow of tourists boosted the local economy.
C1 noun (plural) /ˈɪndɪˌsiːz/

indices

Meaning
plural form of index; statistical measures or reference points used for comparison
Example
Stock market indices fell sharply after the announcement.
C1 noun /ˈɪd.i.əm/

idiom

Meaning
A group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words.
Example
The idiom 'break the ice' means to start a conversation in a friendly way.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnbɔːrn/

Inborn

Meaning
existing from birth; natural; inherent
Example
She has an inborn talent for music.
C1 verb /ɪnˈtruːd/

intrude

Meaning
To enter a place or situation where one is not wanted or not invited.
Example
He felt embarrassed to intrude on their private conversation.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/

Indescribable

Meaning
impossible to describe or express in words; beyond description
Example
The beauty of the sunset was indescribable.
C1 noun /ˌɪnflɛksɪˈbɪlɪti/

inflexibility

Meaning
the quality of being rigid or unwilling to change; lack of adaptability
Example
The inflexibility of the rules caused unnecessary delays.
C1 verb /ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt/

insinuate

Meaning
To suggest or hint something indirectly and often unpleasantly.
Example
He insinuated that she had lied about her qualifications.
C1 verb /ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt/

instigate

Meaning
To bring about or initiate an action, often something negative.
Example
He was accused of instigating the riot.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtræk.tə.bəl/

intractable

Meaning
Difficult or impossible to manage, control, or solve.
Example
The conflict has become an intractable problem.
C1 adjective /ˌɪntərˈtwaɪnd/

intertwined

Meaning
closely connected or twisted together
Example
Their lives became deeply intertwined after the accident.
C1 noun /ˌɪntɪˈmeɪʃən/

intimation

Meaning
A subtle or indirect hint or suggestion.
Example
She gave no intimation of her plans.
C1 adjective /ˈɪɡ.ni.əs/

igneous

Meaning
Formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
Example
Granite is an igneous rock commonly used in construction.
C1 verb /ˈɪmprəvaɪz/

improvise

Meaning
To create or perform something spontaneously without preparation.
Example
The actor had to improvise his lines when he forgot the script.
C1 noun /ˌɪmpɔːrˈteɪʃən/

importation

Meaning
The act of bringing goods or services into a country from abroad
Example
The importation of luxury goods is strictly regulated.
C1 noun /ɪnˈfjuːʒən/

infusion

Meaning
the act of introducing something into another; a drink made by steeping leaves or herbs in liquid
Example
She prepared a calming infusion of chamomile tea.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdʌstriəsnəs/

industriousness

Meaning
The quality of being hardworking and diligent.
Example
His industriousness earned him a promotion at work.
C1 noun /ɪnˈkɜːrʒən/

incursion

Meaning
A sudden attack or invasion into a place or territory.
Example
The army repelled the enemy incursion at the border.
C1 verb /ˌɪn.trəˈspekt/

introspect

Meaning
To examine one's own thoughts, feelings, or mental state.
Example
He often introspects before making important decisions.
C1 noun /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/

ingenuity

Meaning
The quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
Example
His ingenuity led to groundbreaking innovations.
C1 noun /ɪnˈtɛstɪn/

intestine

Meaning
The part of the digestive system where food is digested and absorbed, extending from the stomach to the anus.
Example
The doctor explained how nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdʌktɪv/

inductive

Meaning
characterized by the inference of general laws from particular instances; reasoning from specific cases to general principles
Example
The scientist used inductive reasoning to form a hypothesis.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkəmˈpliːtnəs/

incompleteness

Meaning
the state of not being complete or whole; lack of necessary parts or fullness
Example
The incompleteness of the report caused delays in the project.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈhjuːmən/

Inhuman

Meaning
lacking human qualities; cruel; brutal; savage
Example
The dictator's inhuman treatment of prisoners shocked the international community.
C1 adjective /aɪˈreɪt/

irate

Meaning
Extremely angry.
Example
The customer became irate after waiting for hours.
C1 noun /ɪnˈædɪkwəsi/

inadequacy

Meaning
lack of sufficient ability, quality, or strength; a feeling of not being good enough
Example
She struggled with feelings of inadequacy at work despite her strong qualifications.
C1 adverb /ˈɪnwərdli/

inwardly

Meaning
In the mind or spirit; not outwardly visible.
Example
She smiled outwardly but inwardly she was worried.
C1 verb /ɪˈluːmɪneɪt/

illuminate

Meaning
To light up or make something clearer.
Example
Streetlights illuminate the road at night.
C1 noun /ˌɪn.səˌbɔːr.dɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

insubordination

Meaning
Defiance of authority; refusal to obey orders.
Example
The soldier was punished for insubordination during the mission.
C1 noun /ɪˈnɜː.ʃə/

Inertia

Meaning
a tendency to do nothing or remain unchanged; lack of activity or movement
Example
The team's inertia prevented them from adapting to the rapidly changing market conditions.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɒs.tər/

Impostor

Meaning
a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others; a fraud
Example
The impostor convinced everyone he was a doctor until his fake credentials were discovered.
C1 noun /ɪnˈsɜːrdʒəns/

insurgence

Meaning
An act of rebellion or uprising against authority.
Example
The government struggled to contain the growing insurgence.
C1 noun /aɪl/

isle

Meaning
A small island or peninsula, often poetic or literary.
Example
They spent their honeymoon on a beautiful tropical isle.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnhɒˈspɪtəbl/

inhospitable

Meaning
Harsh and difficult to live in; unfriendly or unwelcoming to guests.
Example
The desert is an inhospitable environment for most plants.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈvɜːs/

Inverse

Meaning
opposite in order, nature, or effect; reversed
Example
There is an inverse relationship between price and demand.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən/

inquisition

Meaning
A prolonged and intense questioning or investigation, often harsh in nature.
Example
The journalist faced an inquisition from the panel about his sources.
C1 adjective ɪnɪɡˈzɔːstɪbəl

inexhaustible

Meaning
Unable to be used up or worn out; limitless.
Example
His inexhaustible energy allowed him to work tirelessly on his projects.
C1 noun ˈɪn.fər.əns

inference

Meaning
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning; logical deduction.
Example
Scientists make inferences based on experimental data.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfleɪt/

inflate

Meaning
to fill with air or gas so it expands; to increase excessively or artificially
Example
The mechanic inflated the tire to the correct pressure.
C1 verb /ˈɪmplɪˌkeɪt/

implicate

Meaning
To show someone’s involvement in a crime or wrongdoing.
Example
The evidence implicated several officials in the scandal.
C1 noun /ˈɪntərˌpleɪ/

interplay

Meaning
The way in which two or more things have an effect on each other.
Example
The interplay between culture and technology shapes modern life.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl/

inconsequential

Meaning
Not important or significant; too small to matter.
Example
The mistake was minor and inconsequential.
C1 verb /ɪmˈploʊd/

implode

Meaning
To collapse or burst inward violently.
Example
The old building imploded during the demolition.